Day: July 18, 2026

Karachi: Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi on Friday directed all civic and emergency departments to expedite monsoon preparedness measures, emphasizing that the cleaning of all storm water drains must be completed before the onset of the rains.

Naqvi issued these directives during a high-level review meeting held at the Commissioner’s office to assess the city’s readiness for the expected monsoon spell, the spokesperson said.

The meeting was attended by all stakeholders, including all Deputy Commissioners, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jafar, Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) Managing Director Fawad Somroo, Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Iqra Jannat, and Regional Director of Local Government Ramzan Pathan.

The authorities resolved to accelerate the cleaning of storm water drains across the city to prevent urban flooding.

The KMC informed the participants that it had already initiated the cleaning of 45 major drains in this June and was mandated to complete this work at the earliest. Concurrently, Town Municipal Administrations were tasked to finish the cleaning of 550 smaller drains.

Taking strict notice of frequent complaints regarding the dumping of solid waste into storm water drains, the Commissioner ordered immediate corrective action, directing Deputy Commissioners to coordinate closely with the SWMB, KMC, and TMAs to curb the practice and ensure drains remain unobstructed.

All Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been tasked with actively monitoring the drain-cleaning operations of local government bodies to ensure ground-level compliance.

The DCs are directed to conduct immediate field inspections of ongoing projects, identify any administrative or physical bottlenecks, and provide necessary support to remove these hindrances. Deputy Commissioners would also hold localized meetings with their respective TMAs to continuously review drainage measures and monsoon preparedness.

It was resolved that K-Electric would establish a dedicated help desk within the Commissioner Karachi Control Room, operating under the direct supervision of Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Iqra Jannat to prevent electrocution incidents and ensure rapid response to citizen complaints during the rainy season.

Additionally, the PDMA, KMC, TMAs, and Cantonment Boards were directed to execute a comprehensive, coordinated plan to prevent waterlogging in low-lying areas, underpasses, and residential streets.

Special arrangements would be made to deploy de-watering pumps, heavy machinery, and dedicated staff at historically waterlogged locations that have faced recurring complaints in previous years, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to minimizing disruption and ensuring public safety during the upcoming monsoon season.

Representatives from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Town Municipal Administrations (TMAs), Malir and Shah Faisal Cantonment Boards, the Police, Pakistan Rangers, Rescue 1122, Traffic Police, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWandSC), and K-Electric were also present.

Karachi: The Sindh government has decided to establish a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Forum to connect youth with employment, skills development, and the private sector.

This decision was made during an important meeting chaired by Sindh Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs, Munawar Ali Mahesar, with a delegation from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at a private hotel here on Friday.

The meeting was attended by UNFPA representatives Golden Melillo, Zahra Jabeen, Renuka Swamy, as well as officials from various public and private institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders.

Director of Sports Asad Ishaq, Deputy Director Habibullah, Assistant Directors Muiz Hussain, Rizwan Mallah, and other officers were also present. The participants held detailed discussions on the establishment of the PPP Forum for youth development and empowerment.

Secretary Mahesar stated that the purpose of the forum is to create effective and sustainable collaboration between the government, private sector, educational institutions, industries, development partners, and civil society.

This will enable joint initiatives for employment, skills, entrepreneurship, sports, social inclusion, and access to modern technology for the youth of Sindh.

He added that the forum will also promote policymaking aligned with youth needs, private investment, and institutional cooperation. A detailed briefing was given on the performance of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, ongoing projects, youth centers, and future programs.

The participants agreed on a joint strategy for the economic, social, and welfare development of youth and expressed their commitment to further expand cooperation with the department.

They also assured technical support, training, and skills development from the private sector to activate youth centers across Sindh.

Secretary Mahesar emphasized that providing merit-based employment opportunities to youth in Sindh’s industries is a pressing need, and industrialists must give proper representation to the province’s talented youth. He stressed that all stakeholders must work together for a brighter future for educated youth.

He further said that the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs is taking practical steps to provide opportunities in sports, positive activities, skills, and leadership.

It was agreed that through this forum, strong collaboration between the public and private sectors will create new opportunities for youth development, employment, and empowerment in Sindh.

Karachi: Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, inaugurated the new Emergency Operational Base of the Sindh Integrated Emergency and Health Services (SIEHS-1122) in Orangi Town.

The project has been completed through the joint collaboration of the Government of Sindh, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), and SIEHS-1122.

Addressing the ceremony, Barrister Murtaza said that the SIEHS-1122 operational base was previously located at Kati Pahari and has now been relocated to a newly allocated government facility near Banaras.

He stated that the relocation aims to improve the speed and accessibility of emergency services in Orangi Town and surrounding areas, enabling ambulances to reach patients more quickly, even in congested and high-traffic localities.

He added that the project is significant because the building housing the new operational base had remained unused for several years. SIEHS-1122 has renovated and transformed the facility into a fully functional emergency center equipped with modern infrastructure, where free pre-hospital emergency medical services will be provided round the clock in accordance with the internationally recognized ISO 9001: 2015 quality standards.

He emphasized that timely and effective emergency services are essential for a metropolitan city like Karachi, and practical measures are being taken in collaboration with SIEHS-1122 to provide better healthcare facilities to citizens.

He further stated that through the joint efforts of the Government of Sindh, KMC, and SIEHS-1122, every citizen of Karachi will have access to timely, high-quality, and dignified emergency medical care.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Executive Officer of SIEHS-1122, Brigadier (Retd) Tariq Qadir Lakhiar, said that the initiative represents much more than the relocation of a station; it is an important step towards bringing quality emergency medical services closer to the people.

He noted that transforming an unused government facility into a modern emergency operational base demonstrates how public resources can be effectively utilized for the benefit of citizens.

He said that the new location will enable SIEHS-1122 teams to serve Orangi Town and various areas of Karachi West with greater speed, efficiency, and coordination.

It is noteworthy that SIEHS-1122 is currently providing free, round-the-clock pre-hospital emergency medical services across all 30 districts of Sindh through a fleet of more than 627 emergency vehicles and continues to implement measures aimed at further strengthening the province’s emergency response system.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the organization appealed to philanthropists, industrialists, the business community, and the general public of Karachi to contribute to this national humanitarian cause so that free emergency ambulance services can be further expanded and strengthened, helping save more precious lives.

Karachi: Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi attended, as the chief guest, a dignified farewell ceremony held in honour of the Consul General of Malaysia, Herman Hardynata Ahmad, the Consul General of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Maher Mujahid Jejan, and the Deputy Chief of Protocol, Foreign Affairs Liaison Office Karachi, Sadia Gohar.

Addressing the ceremony, the Governor commended the Malaysian Consul General for his valuable contribution to further strengthening the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Malaysia. He noted that Pakistan and Iraq are bound together by deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties that continue to reinforce their enduring friendship.

Governor Hashmi observed that goodwill built through sincere engagement and friendship leaves a lasting legacy.

He emphasized that diplomacy is founded on trust, mutual respect, and sustained dialogue, adding that constructive engagement and patient negotiations remain the most effective means of resolving differences among nations.

Describing international cooperation as the cornerstone of regional stability and global prosperity, the Governor highlighted

Sindh’s pivotal role as Pakistan’s economic gateway and commercial hub. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to further strengthening trade and investment ties with friendly countries, while expanding cooperation in information technology, renewable energy, and other key sectors of mutual interest.

Extending his best wishes to the outgoing diplomats, Governor Hashmi said they leave Pakistan with the highest respect and heartfelt goodwill of the Government and the people of Sindh. He expressed confidence that they would always regard Pakistan, particularly Sindh, as their second home and continue to serve as ambassadors of friendship between their respective countries and Pakistan.

The farewell ceremony was hosted by Director General, Foreign Affairs Liaison Office Karachi, Irfan Soomro and attended by Consuls General of various countries, former diplomats, senior bureaucrats, and distinguished members of civil society.

Later, Governor Sindh, accompanied by Director General Irfan Soomro and other distinguished guests, cut a commemorative cake. On the occasion, Soomro presented the Governor with a traditional Ajrak, a bouquet, and a commemorative shield.

Karachi: Spokesperson to the Government of Sindh Sukhdev Asardas Hemnani visited enterprises established under the Peoples’ Poverty Reduction Programme (PPRP) in district Ghotki and said the initiative is creating sustainable livelihoods, promoting entrepreneurship and empowering marginalized communities, particularly women.

Hemnani said that PPRP has uplifted nearly two million households out of poverty across Sindh through its various interventions, with a major focus on the economic empowerment of women. He added that the programme reflects Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision of enabling people to become self-reliant through opportunity rather than dependency, said a press release.

During the visit, Hemnani toured the Power Liner PV Inverter and Battery Charger Factory, established under PPRP’s Enterprise Development Fund (EDF). ‘It is inspiring to witness women from marginalized communities manufacturing solar inverters that are being supplied across Pakistan, Hemnani underscored.’

‘Women are not only strengthening their household incomes but are also setting new benchmarks in innovation and skilled manufacturing. The women of Ghotki are proving that rural communities can lead in modern industries when given the right opportunities,’ Hemnani emphasized.

He also visited the garments manufacturing unit which has grown into a modern enterprise after receiving an interest-free loan of Rs. 1 million under PPRP. The unit now provides employment to 37 local youth, contributing significantly to the local economy.

He also paid visit to an indoor and outdoor plant nursery expanded with the support of interest-free loan. The nursery has developed into a successful business supplying ornamental plants while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in the area.

He also appreciated the role of the Sindh Rural Support Organisation (SRSO) in implementing PPRP and reaffirmed the Sindh Government’s commitment, under the leadership of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, to expanding initiatives that promote financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth across rural Sindh.

Karachi: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh Javed Alam Odho has taken strict notice of the martyrdom of a police constable during an encounter with armed suspects in the Chohar Jamali area of Sujawal district.

The IGP directed DIGP Hyderabad to submit a detailed report on the incident, said a news release on Friday.

Expressing heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyred policeman, Javed Alam Odho paid tribute to his sacrifice in the line of duty.

He also ordered police authorities to ensure the immediate arrest of those involved in the incident and directed that strict legal action be taken against the suspects.